Trends in the German biotechnology sector 2008
German biotech companies are optimistic about 2008. So says a survey conducted by the German Biotechnology Industry Association, BIO Deutschland e.V., in cooperation with the biotech magazine "transkript".
The large majority of all biotech companies surveyed indicated that they were happy with their current business situation (61%). 45% rated their own business as “satisfactory”. The majority of companies also regarded the medium-term prospects as positive: 55% believed that their business would develop positively. This will also lead to a positive trend for jobs: Following an increase in staff recruitment over the last few years, 72% of all companies surveyed indicated that they intended to hire more staff in 2008.
Business situation in 2008: The majority of German biotech companies are positive (55%, n=195); 45% rate the future situation as unchanged; only 4% regard the future situation as unfavourable (Figure: BIO Deutschland / |transkript company survey 2007/2008)
According to the results of the survey, investment in research and development will not grow as strongly as in the preceding year: while as many as 56% of the companies surveyed intended to invest more in 2007 than in 2006 in this area, only 47% plan to do so in the current year. In addition, the assessment of the business climate – i.e. the political, economic and social conditions – is less bright than in the previous year: The majority (56%) of the German biotechnology companies regards the business climate as “satisfactory” (16% as bad and only 28% as good).
R&D investments made by German biotech companies (n=195) will grow less strongly in 2008 than in 2007. (Figure: BIO Deutschland / |transkript company survey 2007/2008)
Political backing required
Rainer Wessel, member of the board of directors of BIO Deutschland, said at a press conference held to present the survey: “The biotech sector in Germany is growing and will continue to do so. The optimistic assessment of the situation and the plans for creating qualified jobs clearly demonstrate this.”
Jens Katzek, member of the board of directors of BIO Deutschland, added that the results of the survey also showed that economic and political conditions needed to be improved: “German companies have become more robust over the last few years and have adapted their business models to economic and political changes. If Germany wants to be among the top international technology leaders, then political backing is necessary. And this is what we didn’t have last year.”
Andreas Mietzsch, CEO of BIOCOM AG and publisher of "|transkript" said: “Economy is 50% psychology; bad news from high-risk drug development companies such GPC or Paion certainly temporarily affect the atmosphere. However, this does not change the fact that biotechnology is growing dramatically and is achieving success in a growing number of business areas with innovative and environment-friendly products.”
Source: BIO Deutschland - 15.01.2008
Further information:
BIO Deutschland e.V.
Dr. Pablo Serrano
Tegeler Weg 33 / berlinbiotechpark,
10589 Berlin
Tel.: +49-(0)-30-264840-87
Fax: +49-(0)-30-264840-88
E-mail:
serrano@biodeutschland.orgtranskript editorial office:
Dr. Patrick Dieckhoff
Stralsunder Str. 58-59
13355 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49-30-264921-41
Fax: +49-30-264921-11
E-mail:
p.dieckhoff@biocom.de